Dive Brief:
- Three University of Georgia College of Engineering colleagues have created an interactive recycling bin to encourage proper recycling. The WeRecycle device has a smiling face that lights up when an aluminum can, glass bottle, or plastic container is deposited, as well as a counter.
- WeRecycle is a collaboration between Dr. Jenna Jambeck, Dr. Kyle Johnsen, and Eliana Mozo-Reyes. They have a startup with a crowdfunding effort to raise $47,000 to further creation of the device.
- The current version of the group’s interactive recycling bin is really a lid for a small trash can, and it is the startup’s second model. It is battery-powered; the company hopes to create the devices from recycled material.
Dive Insight:
The creators of WeRecycle are considering combining the smiling face blinking light on the device with rewards and contests. This startup is thinking of new ways to encourage recycling, which seem to be necessary considering humans may not be wired to do so on their own, according to one study.